Amid the flood control issue in the Philippines, Pres. Bongbong Marcos ordered the creation of an independent commission that will investigate the infrastructure projects funded by the government. His order led to the creation of the Independent Commission for Infrastructure.
The ICI is mainly a three-member investigative body led by former Justice Andres Reyes Jr. However, after a few months since it started its flood control investigation, the two (2) members of the commission, former DPWH secretary Rogelio “Babes” Singson and SGV & Co managing partner Rossana Fajardo, resigned from their work.
Previously, Malacañang revealed that the
ICI was given a P41-million budget for 2025 for its flood control investigation
. The commission invited several government officials who are faced with accusations of supposed flood control corruption into its probe.
Presidential cousin and Leyte Congressman Martin Romualdez is one of the members of the House of Representatives who appeared before the independent commission for its flood control probe. Romualdez stepped down from the House speakership amid the corruption allegations against him and maintained his innocence.
According to the former House Speaker, he stepped down from his position so the ICI can freely do its mandate to investigate without an undue influence. He also claimed that he is willing to help in any way he can to speed up the resolution of the issue.
Previously,
Malacañang claimed that it is better for the ICI to talk directly to Pres. Bongbong Marcos over fate
. Based on a report on PhilStar, the independent commission recently submitted a 125-day report of its flood control probe to Marcos Jr.
“Within just over three months, and operating with constrained manpower and resources, the Commission delivered substantial and measurable results,”
the Commission stated.
Here are the achievements of the ICI as listed by the investigative body in its 125-day report to the President:
Nine referrals, covering 65 implicated individuals, submitted to the Ombudsman, one of which was made with the Department of Public Works and Highways
66 individuals referred to the Department of Justice for the issuance of Immigration Lookout Bulletin Orders (ILBOs)
32 hearings covering 36 witnesses, including 20 legislators and five agency heads
16 site inspections nationwide
1,173 documents processed
6,692 bank accounts of implicated individuals frozen or subjected to freeze orders
P24.7 billion worth of assets seized, preserved, frozen or surrendered, according to the Anti-Money Laundering Council. This includes 229 vehicles, 394 insurance policies, 161 real properties, 16 e-wallet accounts and 10 air assets
Eight inter-agency coordination meetings conducted and six legislative sessions attended
Three hearings livestreamed
Based on the
report
, the fate of the commission is now up to Pres.
Bongbong Marcos. Previously, Marcos Jr. claimed that the ICI has investigated all that must be investigated